Bishop, Carrie 186? - 1886

BISHOP

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 2/5/2013 at 17:37:46

Postville Review, Sat., 20 Feb. 1886.

SUICIDE ! The Deadly Bullet Does It's Fatal Work, And Miss Carrie Bishop Sleeps The Sleep That Knows No Waking !

The inhabitants of Postville never were so badly shocked and stunned as they were on Wednesday evening, a little after 8 o'clock, by the report that Miss Carrie Bishop, oldest daughter of C. I. Bishop, had committed suicide by shooting, in her father's house, and that she had died instantly.

The authorities were at once notified and Dr. Sheperd was called, but life was extinct, and indeed death resulted instantaneously, as the deadly bullet, a 32 caliber, shot from a revolver, entered the skull near the right temple, passing out on the other side of the head. Esq. Shepherd empaneled a jury, composed of Jas. McEwen, N. J. Beedy and H. S. Luhman, and proceeded to hold an inquest on the remains.

The evidence disclosed the following facts in substance: Mr. Bishop was not at home at the time, and we believe none other but the second daughter. Carrie had seemed a little uneasy and had gone from one room to another several times. Finally she went into her bed room and closed the door, and very soon thereafter her sister heard the report of the revolver, and discovering the situation gave the alarm to the neighbors. The jury found that she had only partially undressed and had leaned over on the bed in a reclining position, and had there discharged the weapon that sent the bullet crashing through her brain.

There was no evidence before the jury sufficient to show conclusively the underlying cause of the rash act, although it seemed evident that it was caused from disappointed affection. That the deed was comitted by her own hand was certain, because she held the weapon in her hand, which was blackened by the discharge. The verdict of the jury was in accordance with these facts.

The next morning letters were found in which the intent was fully disclosed, and in which she bade good bye to her father, brother and sisters, asking their forgiveness for the rash act, and stating that she had to do it, as her friends had all foresaken her and hence she could not live, etc.

What a sad ending to a life so young in fact a life just spreading out into womanhood (she was in her eighteenth year) with all the bright possibilities of the world before her ! She was an estimable young lady in every respect, so far as is known, and no cloud rests upon her memory. May the forced sleep of death which rests upon her be more peaceful and happy than her waking hours seem to have been.

The earnest sympathy of our people goes out to the stricken father and the other members of the family. Her remains were laid to rest in the cemetery this forenoon.

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Submitter is not related.

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